Adhesive applicator for carton sealing machines



June 22,- 1965 F. A. CRAIG ETAL ADHESIVE APPLICAIQR FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec 21, 1962 Elrsl 40 3 4 4242 I" /3 l4 11253 1 I um I v so as 4/ -3/ 3 3/ 3/ 40 33 I Fish.

INVENTORS Franc/3 14. (my fb ene A (In/tier F. A. CRAIG ETAL 3,190,259

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Flc3 E m/ w 3 m? H 6 w M w WW 0 V .5 8 em, up". 0 I G W Y H B ADHESIVE APPLIGATOR FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES June 22, 1965 Filed Dec. 21, 1962 LLSZSZSlS June 22, 1965 F. A. CRAIG ETAL 3,190,259

ADHESIVE APPLICATOR FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES Filed Dec. 21, 1962 4 Sheets-Shee't s INVENTOR- fianc/s :4. 5-01 BY Eqyene f: (/oudier A TIORNE Y.

June 22, 1965 F. A. CRAIG ETAL 3,190,259

ADHESIVE APPLICATOR FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 21, 1962 mu m u m we 3.

United StatesPatent O" 3,190,259 ADHESIVE APPLrcAToR FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES Francis A. Craig, Hanehouse, and Eugene F. Cloutier, V

Wilshire, Pa., assiguors to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 246,590 8 Claims. (Cl. 1182) The instant invention relates to an applicator, often termed a glue head and sov referred to herein, for applying adhesives to surfaces and to means and controls for the operation of the same. The glue head of the invention is particularly adapted for the application of adhesives to the flaps of cases, cartons and the like but as will be understood its use is not so limited.

The unit to be hereinafter described is an improvement on that shown in the co-pending application of Joseph H. Walter, Serial No. 199,464, filed June 1, 1962, and assignee of the instant application. Said prior application discloses a glue head, particularly adapted for employment in case sealing machines, in which the adhesive is supplied under pressure and caused to exude through a line of orifices onto underlying or overlying case flaps. The unit comprises a casing defining a hollow chamber having an elongated wall thereof, namely the wall to lie adjacent the case flap, provided with the line of orifices previously referred to. A flexible diaphragm Within the chamber defines, with said forward wall, an adhesive receiving pocket. The diaphragm includes projecting portions adapted in the relaxed condition of the diaphragm to overlie said orifices in spaced relationship thereto whereby adhesive may flow through-saidorifices to the case'flaps or other objectsto which said adhesive is to be applied. The device further includes means for supplying fluid under pressure, preferably compressed air, behind said diaphragm to cause the flexing thereof and the closing of the orifices "by said projecting portions to prevent flow of adhesive except when such flow is desired.

A principal object of the instant invention is the provision of an improved glue head incorporating the basic features of that disclosed in said priorapplication Serial No. 199,464 but providing a more preci'seand positive control of the flow of adhesive from the unit to the object to which the adhesive is applied. Another object of the invention is the provision of a glue head in which a diaphragm or flexible member, carrying orifice closing projecting portions of the type previously mentioned, is controlled in its movements toward and away from said orifices by a second diaphragm.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a glue head as defined in the foregoing objects in which said second diaphragm and said first flexible member or diaphragm are connected for conjoint movement, said second diaphragm being adapted to be flexed in a direction to cause the closing of said orifices by the application of fluid .under pressure, suitably compressed air,*to the rear sidethereof. A further object is the provision of such unit in which the return flexing movement of the diaphragm after the release of the fluid pressure thereon is ice, A

of which is provided with one or more glue exuding orifices. A flexible member or diaphragm suitably having marginal portions thereof confined between marginal portions of said troughlike member and said body, includes a body section extending longitudinally of said troughlike member the body section having spaced portions projecting toward said forward wall and the orifices therein. A second diaphragm has its flanges confined between said bodymember and a rear cover plate said second diaphragm and the first diaphragm being connected for conjoint movement. The second diaphragm defines a chamber with said cover plate for the reception of a fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, whereby said diaphragm may be flexed to cause similar flexing of said flexible member and movement of said projecting portions into contact with the troughlike member around the orifices therein to close the same against the further exudation of adhesive therethrough. Resilient means, such as springs, are interposed between the body member and the forward side of the second mentioned diaphragm to cause returnflexing of the diaphragm upon release of the fluid pressure thereon. Adjusting screws secured in the cover plate rearwardly of the second diaphragm and having their forward ends bearing against the second diaphragm are employed to limit the rearward movement of the diaphragm under the pressure of said springs and hence the spacing of the projecting portions from the orifices.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an adhesive applying unit, suitably employing glue heads of the'type defined above, said unit including control means whereby the flow of adhesive from one or several glue heads is prevented except when a case or other object to which adhesive is to be applied is in position for such application. Another object of the invention is the provision in such unit of means to prevent the operation thereof upon the failure of the supply of fluid pressure for the glue heads.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an adhesive applying unit, employing one or more of the glue heads of the type referred to above, the unit including means for mounting the glue head or heads for automatic adjustment to elfect eflicient adhesive application upon contact of the heads by the case flaps or other members to which the adhesive is to be applied. The construction further serves to effect the wipingof the heads adjacent the orifices by the flaps upon the completion of their passage past the glue heads. v

The invention will be more fully understood and further objects and advantages thereof will become apparent when reference is made to the more detailed description to follow and to the accompanying drawings in which:

influenced by resilient means acting upon the forward face to one face thereof a troughlike member the forward wall FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a glue head in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the device of FIG. 1 and substantially on the center line thereof; g

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on a line 33 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows and illustrating the gluehead in an operative oradhesive applyingcondition;

. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of FIG/2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows and illustrating the glue head in an inoperative or closed condition; l

FIGJS is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. '4 but on an enlarged scale, illustrating certain features of' the glue head when in an inoperative condition;

FIG. 6, .7 and 8 are end views of the glue head and the mounting-means therefor illustrating different positions of the head relatively to a case flap passing therebeneath; e

FIGS. 2 and 3, in spaced relationship'theret'o.

, slidable in the slot.

FIG. 9 isa schematic view illustrating a control system for a plurality of glue heads employedin a case flap gluing operation; and 7 1 1 FIG, 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating features of a case sealing unit employing the glue,

heads of the instant invention.

Referring now to the drawings. and first particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive the glue head 1 of the instant invention comprises a housing including a body Lmember 10 to a forward face of which a relatively thin-walled troughlike member 11 is secured as by screws 12. A 'cover plate 13 is secured as by screws 14 at the rear side i the influence of springs 35 and h'ence'of the spacing of 'projecti0ns'23 from orifices 20, such means comprising of the body member. A flexible member or'diaphragm 15 includes marginal portions 16 confined between side and end flanges of the troughlike member'a'nd the periphery of the body member to define a'fluid-tight, VBX-V' cept for glue feeding orifices hereafter referred to, adhesive receiving pocket. A second'diaphragm 17 has its peripheral edges 18 confined between rim portions of the cover plate 13 andjthe periphery of the body member to define a fluid-tight chamber to the rear of the body member.

Troughlilre member 11 is provided with one or more member 25 and portions of the body member 110 defining the forward wallof recess 321the springs being maintained in position by their forward ends being received in bores 36 in the body member and their rear ends being engaged by bosses 37 carried by the head of the T member, A

Means are provided for adjustably determining th maximum rearward movement of diaphragm 34 under set screws 49 threadably mounted in cover plate 13.

, and having. forward ends adapted'to contact the dia-- phragm; As will be noted the shanks of the set screws -are peripherally grooved to receive packings' such as O rings 41 to maintain the fluid-tight integrity of the space or chamber 32. between diaphragm 34 andcover' splatei 13. As will be understood the extent ofprojection of the set screws may be readily adjusted by rotation therer a of with a screw driver or other suitable tool.

Cover plate 13 provided with a bore. 42 opening into a passageway 43 communicating with the chamber. 39 between diaphragm 17 and the cover plate. A conduit 44, in communication with a source of fluid'pressure at certain times as .will hereinafter be described, is threaded or otherwise connected 'into bore 42.? Body.

member 10 also is provided with a bore 45 in com;

munication with a passageway-46 leading into an adhesive receiving pocket 47 defined by troughlikevmem- 5 I ber 11 and flexible member 15. Bore 45 is in communi- As will be noted the forward wall of the troughlike mem-- ber is constituted of converging wall sections andthe' orifices are located on the line of convergence thereof. Flexible member 15 which is formed of a suitably distortable material such as rubber includes 'a body section 21extending longitudinally of the troughlike member 11 the forward end of the body section being dividedby a series of transverse recesses 22 into spaced forwardly projecting portions 23 each projecting portion overlying one of the orifices 20 but terminating, when member 15 is in the restposition illustrated in As will be noted the forward ends of the projections 23 are of a size and shape to contact the wall of the troughlike member around the orifices upon forward flexing movement of the flexible memberf. i

A rigid member 25T-shaped in cross section includes a flange or stem 26 imbedded in the body portion 2 1 of flexible member 15, the imbedding suitably'bein'g carried out during the molding .of member 15. As il-.

lustratedthe imbedded portion of the stem. is provided 7 with'a series of perforations 27 filled by. the rubber or other compound of which the flexible member is com-. posed whereby members 25 and '15 are securely joined. Stem or flange 26 extends rearwardly through a 'slot 28 formed in the body member 10 the stem being freely angle bars 29 having flanges 30 secured to stem 26 as by rivets 31 (FIGS. 2 and 3), the'rear edge of the stem and the rear surface of the angle bars lying in a comor'otherwise secured to the flanges. ;Body'member 10 is ported as illustrated at 38 to ve'ntinternal recess' 32; 3 Diaphragm 17 which similarly as flexible member 15 is formed of rubber or other. suitable distortable flexcation witha source of adhesive under pressure through the medium of a conduit 50 threadably .or otherwise.

connected into the bore. Passageway 46 is threaded and a thirnble 48 is'secured therein, the head of the thimble, with suitably an. interposed washer, confiningv the marginal portions of flexible. member 15 surroundingpassageway 46. and'providing additional support for the flexible member. a

As will be understood from the foregoing, in the operation of the glueheadand adhesive under pressure 46 into pocket 47. When flexible member 15 is in' the:

Thehead of member 25 comprises f projecting ends are filled by fillets 33 whichare brazed ible materialis shaped to have. a central'section' 34 interfitting in the recess 32 'andresting ontthe head "of the V T member 25, said central section being spaced/from cover plate 13 to define achamber 39. Comp ression springs 35 are positioned between the head of the T supplied through conduit 50 flows through passageway conditionillustrated in FIGS. '2 and 3 the adhesive ex-. udes through orifices 20 .onto the surface to'which the adhesive 'is: to be applied. Upon communication ,of

conduit 44 with a source of 'fluid, such as compressed. air, under suflicient pressure to overcome the pressure of the adhesive and to compress springs*31-,= diaphragm.

17 is flexed in a forward direction causing conjoint forward flexing .or member 15 and forward movement of projections 21 to bring them into sealing contact. with the inner surface oftroughlike member ll'surrounding orifices 20 whereby said orifices are closed againstfurther passage of adhesive therethrough. Upon release of the fluid pressure behind diaphragm 17 springs screws 40, to again free the, orifices for the flow of' ad hesive therethrough.

In the pressure of the compressed air or other fluid.

employed to flex the diaphragm andflexible member to close to the orifices 20 will vary with'the viscosity of the adhesive and the pressure under which the adhesive'is supplied to the heads, but is normally within the range of five to twenty p.s.i. In any event anair pressure is employed ,which is sufficient to. cause the projections '21 to contact the forward wall of the troughlike member with enoughforce tosomewhat compress the material 'of which the projections are formed: It has been;

found that the application wof.such force causes,after the projections have been in initial contact with the forward wall ofthe troughlike member fora relatively short period of time, the intrusion of the rubber or other material of the projections intothe oriflcesto fill or substantially fill. the. same as illustrated at 24 in FIG. 5. Upon release of the fluid pressure and the. rearward movement of the flexible member such portions 24, which are thereby withdrawn from the orifices into spaced relationship thereto, tend to retain their protruded shapes whereby, upon each orifice closing movement of the flexible member, the orifices are filled by the protrusions and the clogging of the orifices by adhesive, which otherwise could become hardened therein during inactive periods of the heads, is prevented. I

It is important however that the force with which the projections press against the forward wall be positively limited in order to avoid excessive protrusion of the portions 24 and possible distortion of the relatively thin metal of the troughlike member. For this purpose, as illustrated particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flanges 30 of angle bars 29 are made of a width to contact body member and hence serve as stops against further forward movement of the projections when the desired degree of compression thereof has been reached.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 the glue heads 1 are illustrated as components of a case sealing machine. Such machines, as is conventional, comprise a case conveying means including a longitudinally extending plate 55 on which the cases are adapted to slide, and a pair of sprocket chains 56 supported on sprockets 57 and driven through a speed reduction unit 61 by motor 58, the sprocket chains supporting one or more flight bars 59. Motor 58 also drives a camshaft 60 adapted to make one revolution during one cycle of operation, i.e., a movement of a flight bar and hence of a case through the glue heads of the machine, for a purpose hereinafter'mentioned.

The glue heads 1 are mounted by suitable means in positions above the paths of the upper opened side flaps 110 and below the paths of the opened lower side flaps 111 to apply adhesive to the flaps as the cases are conveyed through the machine. Backup plates 65 are positioned opposite the glue heads to support the flaps during the adhesive applying operation.

The mounting means for the glue heads (see particularly FIGS. 6 to 9) comprise rods 62 supported from the machine frame by any suitable means (not shown). Rockably mounted on the rods but adjustably held against longitudinal movement thereon by collars or other means (not shown) are arms 63, each arm being rigidly connected to one of the heads. As will be observed the rod-receiving bores of the arms are of larger diameter than the rods whereby each head may accommodate itself to any somewhat out of level position which the case flap or other member passing therebeneath, or thereabove as the case may be, may assume. This insures line contact between the flap and the head for the full length of the latter. In the operative positions of the glueheads (FIG. 6) the heads are in substantially vertical positions and, in the case of the heads mounted for application of adhesive to theupper case flaps 110, with their weight being carried by the backup plates (FIG. 8). The heads mounted in an inverted position to apply the adhesive to the lower flaps are pressed against the backup plates by suitable means such assprings (FIG. 9) each having one end connected to a frame element and the other to a lever arm 71 projecting from the hub of an arm 63 oppositely to the arm. Alternatively a counterweight may be carried by lever arm.71. Conduits 44, which supply the fluid under pressure t the chamber between the diaphragm 16 and the cover plate of each of the several glue heads, are connected into branch conduits 64. The branch conduits are in turn connected to the discharge side of a normally open solenoid operated valve 66. The intake side of the solenoid valve is connected to a main 68 leading to a source (not shown) of fluid under pressure such as compressed 'air. Valve 66 is provided with an exhaust port 67 .adapted, when thevalve is closed to the passage of fluid from the main 68, to open the branch lines to the atmos phere. It will be understood that while for convenience of illustration only one valve .66 has been shown directly with the main, in lieu thereof an individual solenoid operated valve for each glue head may be employed in the conduits 44 leading thereto, the individual valves being of the same type and under the same control as valve 66. Main 68 includes a one-way or check valve 69 adapted to automatically close upon loss of pressure from the source for the purpose of maintaining pressure, assuming valve 66 is open, in the glue heads.

Camshaft 60, which as previously mentioned makes one revolution during the passage of a case through the case sealing machine has a cam keyed thereto for rotation therewith. Cam 75 is provided with one or more lobes'76 adapted to close a normally open microswitch 77 when the cam is rotated to bring a lobe into position to elevate a contact arm 78 of the switch. Switch 77 is connected into an electrical circuit, herein referred to as the first electrical circuit, in series with a second normally open microswitch 79 (see FIG. 9) positioned to be closed by the depression of a switch arm 80 thereof upon contact of the arm by the leading edge of a case bottom as the case is conveyed into the sealing machine to a position suitably just in advance of that in which the leading edges of the side flaps thereof lie opposite the glue heads. The solenoid of normally open valve 66,'or the solenoids of the valves individual to each head if such are employed in place of the single valve, is also connected into the circuit in series with switches 77 and 79. The circuit has one lead 81 connected to a main power lead 82. The'other lead 83 of the circuit is connected to a spring loaded swingable arm or contact 84 0f a relay 85. Upon energization of the coil of relay 85 switch arm 84 is swung in a counterclockwise direction as .viewed in FIG. 9 to make contact with a fixed contact 87 connected to a second main power lead 88. i

A second electrical circuit includes a lead 89 extending from main power lead 82 to one terminal 90 of motor 58. The other lead 91 of the second electrical circuit connects the second terminal 92 of motor 58 with a second spring loaded movable switch arm or contact 93 of relay 85. Arm 93 is adapted to close the second electrical circuit to the main power lead 88 upon energization of the coil of the relay.

A third electrical circuit comprises a lead 95 connecting main lead'82 and a movable contact 96 of a manually operated switch 97. The other or fixed contact 98 of the manually operated switch is connected by a lead 99 to one terminal of a pressure switch 100 in the fluid pressure main 68. The pressure switch is of a conventional type adapted to close and to be held closed by apredetermined pressure in main 68 and to be opened to deenergize the circuit upon loss of such pressure. .The other terminal of switch 100 is connected to one terminal 101 of the operating coil of relay 85. The other terminal 102 of the coil of the relay is connected by a lead 103 to main lead 88 to complete the circuit.

It will be understood that the several components of the circuits described-above including the relay and switches are standard commercial items, as is the solenoid operated valve 66, hence no specific description thereof is given.

The adhe'siveto be distributed to the several glue heads for exudation through the orifices 20 thereof is supplied from a pressure tank 105 through feed lines 106, 107 and 108, lines 107 and 108 having connections to the conduits 50 individual to each gluehead. A manually operated shutoff valve 109 is included in feed line 106.

In preparation for operation of. the machine compressed 7 air or other fluid under the required pressure is supplied to main 68 from an air pump or other suitable source. Inasmuch asat this time the solenoid of valve 66 is deenergized the valve is in its normally open condition and the compressed air flows through the branch lines 64 and conduits 44 to the several glue heads 1 to cause flexing of the diaphragms and the closing of the orifices 20. The supply of compressed air to main 68 also closes pressure operated switch 100 readying the third electrical circuit for energization'upon closing of the switch 97.

As a further preparatory step valve 109 is openedto cause flowof the adhesive through the 'feedlincs 106,

.107 and 108 and conduits to the severalglue heads.

Upon closing of manually operated switch 97 the third,

electrical circuit is closed to energize the coil of relay 85. This in turn causes switch arms 84 and 93 to' close the circuits of which they are a part to main lead 88, This closes'the second electrical circuit to start motor'9 0, the first electrical circuit however remaining open byreason of normally open microswitches'77 and79. Operation of the motor startsthe movement-of a fl ght bar, and

hence of a case'positioned on plateSS, through the machine. As the case is so conveyed the sideflaps 110 and .111 to which the adhesive is to be applied are opened into positions to receive the adhesive, horizontal positions'in the device illustrated, and the upper .inner'fiaps are infolded to overlie the contents of the case, the lower inner flaps having been previously so folded. The means for performing the flap positioning and folding functions (not shown) are well known and those employed in connection with the mechanism of the invention may be of any suitable type. V

At thesame time that the fiightbar begins itscase conveying movement camshaft starts its rotation. As rotation of the camshaft continues'the leading lobe 76 of cam' rotates into position to close switch 77, the position' of the lobe and the movement of theflight bar being correlated so that this occurs when-the case is positioned with the leading edges of the sidefiaps 110 and 111 substantially opposite the glue heads. Suitably shortly in advanceof the closing of switch 77 by the leading lobe 76 of cam 75 the leading edge of the case bottom has engaged arm to close normally open switch 7 9 whereby upon the closing of switch 77 the first electrical circuit isclosed energizing the solenoid 'of normally open valve 66 to close the valve against the further supply of fluid under. pressure, e.g; compressed air, to the glue heads.

Upon closing of valve 66 exhaust port 67 opened venting the conduits leading to the glue heads thereby re *6 one ofthe headsLa head overlying anupper flap being illustrated, is shown in its inoperative or rest position with the orifices 20 substantially directly opposite the backup plate. As thecase flap is brought into contact with V the head and continues to'advance thehead is rotated by the flap to assume the somewhat elevated andangular position illustrated in FIG. 7 in which the adhesive may.

exudefrom the orifices 20 to form the lines or lanesof adhesive 112. 'As the flap moves past the glue head the diaphragm and flexible member are operated as previously.

described to close the orifices against the further flow of the adhesive ther ethrough, this suitablyoccurring just. prior to the time that the flap passes beyond the glue head whereby the adhesive lanes terminate adjacent the trail- I ing edge of the flap as shown'at:113 in FIG. '8. Asthe, trailing edge of the flap passes out from under the glue head the latter rotatesto its original position, the mouths of the orifices and the adjacent outer surfaces of the: troughlike member being wiped clean by the corner of Hence the accumulation of ad-" hesive on the backup plates or on the outer 'surfacesof I the flap as this occurs.-

the glue. heads is substantially. eliminated. It will be recognized while the above description has been directed to the overlying glue heads, it is equally applicable to the underlying inverted heads which are spring pressed'or. otherwise urged, toward thefia'ps passing thereabove.

Following the application of the adhesive the case is;

conveyed by the flight bar to bring'its side flaps into'contact with suitable plows .(not shown) which may be of any desired or conventional type, the. plowsserving to rotate the side flaps'into or substantially into their final positions. After completion of the above operations the.

' case is delivered by the conveyor to a compression unit leasing the pressure. behind the diaphragms and permit- V ting the diaphragms to retract under the influence of springs 31 and freethe orifices 20 for the flow of adhesive therethrough. Such flow will continue as long as switch 77 is held closed by the cam lobe whereby lanes or lines of adhesive are applied to'the surfaces of side flaps 11:)

an interval'equal to the distance between the infolded end flaps, and again being opened to apply-the adhesive for a length equal to the width of the trailing infolded end flap. Just before the trailing end of the case moves beyond the (not shown) and which may be of any. conventional type where the outer flaps are held against the inner flaps until the adhesive is set;

As will be recognizeda sealing machine as described above insures against the feeding of'adhesive from the.

glue heads except when'a case is positioned 'to receive.

the adhesive on the flaps thereof, i.e. when it is inposition to close switch 79. 1Als'o the feeding of the adhesive will continue only under the control of the lobes of cam 75: Furthermore unless the machine is in condition for opera" tion, i.e{fiuid under pressure'is supplied to main 68, the

machine cannot be operated, pressure switch remain-. ing open and all: of the circuits de-energized.

, The construction of the glue heads and their manner of mounting insures that the orifices. will not become clogged with hardened adhesive, nor will any substantial quantities of adhesive be deposited-on the outside of the glue heads or backup plates, to 'interfer'e'with successful continued operation. The elongated shapes of the orifices and the positioning of the orifices at the apexof the forward walls of the troughlike members and'the tilting of the heads glue heads, the glue heads are again closed against extudation of adhesive therethrough by the opening of 'valve66 to again'supply compressed air behind the diaphragms of the glue heads as the solenoid of the avlve is deenergized due to the opening of switch 77. Switch 79 continues in its closed position for a short interval thereafter dueto the length of the switch arm which remains in contact with the case bottom and then opens as the case completely clears the switch. While a double lobed cam 75 is shown and described it=will be recognized that each lobe may be split into additional lobes if desired to provide other adhesive patterns.

, Referring now particularly to FIGS. 6 to'8 inclusive a description will be given .of the manner in which the glue 7 heads automatically rotate to adhesive applying position and thereafter are wiped-clear of exuded adhesive upon completion of the adhesive applying operation. In FIG.

when in adhesive applying position have been found to promote the continuous and even flow 'or exudation of' the adhesive. 7

Having thus described the invention in rather complete detail it will be understood that these details need not be strictly adhered to and that various changes and modi-i fications may be made, all falling within the scope .of the invention as defined by the following'clairns;

1. In an apparatus for applying adhesive to the surface I of a panel having-substantial thickness and movable relative thereto, a glue head comprising a troughlike memberdefining an adhesive'receiving pocket and having a forward wall comprising convering surfaces defining a line of convergence, orifices in said with locatedsubstantially on said line of convergence, means cooperating with said forward wall for closing said orifices'at times, and means for supplying adhesive under pressure to said pocket; a

a backup member, means mounting said glue head for rock- 7 ing movement toward and away from said backup. mem-.

ment with said backup member with said forward wall at said line of convergence in contact therewith and said orifices substantially closed thereby, means for relatively moving said panel between said glue head and said backup member to cause a first rocking movement of said glue head to free said orifices by the contact of a converging surface of said troughlike member with the leading edge of said panel, and a return rocking movement of said glue head upon passage of a trailing edge of said panel beyond said glue head, whereby said orifices and portions of said glue head adjacent thereto are wiped by said trailing edge during said return rocking movement.

2. in an apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for closing said orifices comprises a flexible memher having projections thereon overlying said orifices, and means to cause said flexible member to move said projections into orifice closing positions.

3. in an apparatus for sealing cover flaps of cases said apparatus comprising means for advancing a case with certain of its cover flaps open, glueheads in the path of said advancing open cover flaps for applying adhesive thereto, said glueheads having adhesive exuding orifices therein, means for closing said orifices upon the application of fiuidpressure to said heads and for opening said orifices upon relief of said fluid pressure, means for supplying fiuid pressure to said heads, valve means for controlling the operation of said fluid pressure supplying means, and means actuated by the advancing movement of said case for actuating said valve means to cut ofi said supply and to relieve the fluid pressure on said heads upon the advancement of said flaps to adhesive receiving positions.

4. In an apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for actuating said valve means comprises 'an elec trical circuit including a normally open switch in the path of said advancing case and adapted to be closed thereby.

5. In an apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said electrical circuit includes a second normally open switch and there is cam means for closing and opening said second switch.

6. In an apparatus for sealing cover flaps of cases, said apparatus comprising means for advancing a case with' certain of its cover flaps open, means for driving said case advancing means, glue heads in the path of said advancing open cover flaps for applying adhesive thereto, said glue heads having adhesive exuding orifices therein, means for closing said orifices upon the application of fluid pressure to said heads and for opening said orifices upon release ofrsaid fluid pressure, means for supplying fluid pressure to said heads, valve means in said supply means for controlling the operation of said means for closing said orifices, and electrical circuitry for the operation of said drive means and said valve means, said electrical circuitry including a switch adapted to open and de-energize said circuity upon loss of fluid pressure from and said supply means.

7. In an apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said m ans for supplying fluid pressure includes a supply line and there is a check valve therein permitting flow of fluid through said supply line only toward said glue heads.

8. In an apparatus for sealing cover flaps of cases said ment of said case and means under cam control, for ac tuating said valve means to cut off said supply and to relieve the fluid pressure on said heads upon the advancement of said flaps to adhesive receiving positions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,765,769 10/56 Schroeder 118-411 2,796,847 6/57 Guggenheim 1184l1 3,012,700 12/61 Mayer 222504 X 3,034,761 5/62 Janquart 222504 X 3,088,433 5/63 Walter et al. 1l81 3,104,986 9/63 Goman et al. ll82 RICHARD D. NEVIUS, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH B. SPENCER, Examiner. 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING ADHESIVE TO THE SURFACE OF A PANEL HAVING SUBSTANTIAL THICKNESS AND MOVABLE RELATIVE THERETO, A GLUE HEAD COMPRISING A TROUGHLIKE MEMBER DEFINING AN ADHESIVE RECEIVING POCKET AND HAVING A FORWARD WALL COMPRISING COVERING SURFACES DEFINING A LINE OF CONVERGENCE, ORIFICES IN SAID WALL LOCATED SUBSTANTIALLY ON SAID LINE OF CONVERGENCE, MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID FORWARD WALL FOR CLOSING SAID ORIFICES AT TIMES, AND MEANS FOR SUPPLYING ADHESIVE UNDER PRESSUSRE TO SAID POCKET; A BACKUP MEMBER, MEANS MOUNTING SAID GLUE HEAD FOR ROCKING MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID BACKUP MEMBER, MENS YIELDABLY URGING SAID GLUE HEAD INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BACKUP MEMBER WITH SAID FORWARD WALL AT SAID LINE OF CONVERGENCE IN CONTACT THEREWITH AND SAID ORIFICES SUBSTANTIALLY CLOSED THEREBY, MEANS FOR RELATIVELY MOVING SAID PANEL BETWEEN SAID GLUE HEAD AND SAID BACKUP MEMBER TO CAUSE A FIRST ROCKING MOVEMENT OF SAID GLUE HEAD TO FREE SAID ORIFICES BY THE CONTACT OF A CONVERGING SURFACE OF SAID TROUGHLIKE MEMBER WITH THE LEADING EDGE OF SAID PANEL, AND A RETURN ROCKING MOVEMENT OF SAID GLUE HEAD UPON PASSAGE OF A TRAILING EDGE OF SAID PANEL BEYOND SAID GLUE HEAD, WHEREBY SAID ORIFICES AND PORTIONS OF SAID GLUE HEAD ADJACENT THERETO ARE WIPED BY SAID TRAILING EDGE DURING SAID RETURN ROCKING MOVEMENT. 